Pastor charged with abusing minors at Pampanga facility

An American pastor who founded a child care facility in Pampanga faces charges for alleged physical, verbal, and psychological abuse against minors.

Pastor Jeremy Keith Ferguson, 48, has been placed on an immigration watchlist to ensure his attendance at court hearings following the Department of Social Welfare and Development's (DSWD) investigation.

The DSWD confirmed that during a spot monitoring conducted on August 12, several children disclosed experiencing abuse by Ferguson and some house parents, leading to the shutdown of New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga, Inc., on August 13.

Ferguson was arrested on August 13 and charged with two counts of violating Republic Act 7610, each carrying a recommended bail of P80,000. However, he cannot be released due to the concurrent immigration charge.

The rescued children are now under the protective custody of the DSWD Field Office-3, receiving psychosocial support from social workers and undergoing trauma care through counseling sessions, play therapy, and medical assessments.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian issued a cease and desist order against Ferguson on August 13 following the inspection, and more than 70 children have been transferred to appropriate residential care facilities based on their individual needs.

Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, urged authorities to investigate the allegations impartially and cautioned against pre-judging Ferguson.